The license supports Animoca’s ecosystem, spanning platforms like Moca Network, Open Campus, Anichess, and The Sandbox, and aligns with its track record of investing in over 600 companies and digital assets.

This move signals a broader shift toward regulated crypto services and governance, underscoring growth and maturation of the global crypto market beyond the US and Europe into the Middle East.

2026 priorities include emphasis on stablecoins and real‑world asset tokenization, with a Hong Kong joint venture involving Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications to pursue a stablecoin issuer license, plus partnerships with Fosun Wealth and Hang Feng Technology on tokenization projects.

Animoca disclosed plans to go public on Nasdaq via a reverse merger with Currenc Group Inc., with completion anticipated in 2026 and existing shareholders projected to own about 95% of the combined entity, subject to closing conditions.

Animoca Brands has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Licence from Dubai’s VARA, enabling regulated crypto services including broker-dealer and investment activities in Dubai (excluding the DIFC) and engagement with institutional and qualified investors.

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The wider Web3 landscape is trending toward stronger regulatory compliance to balance innovation with investor protection and adherence to global standards.

Benjamin Grolimund, Flipster FZE General Manager, says VARA’s framework enables innovation while prioritizing trust and security, reinforcing Flipster’s commitment to high standards in regulated markets.

Flipster's Middle East expansion, initiated in 2025 with leadership in the UAE, highlights regulatory clarity and Dubai’s digital asset ecosystem as a base for global growth.

Flipster is strengthening its compliance framework, including a partnership with Chainalysis to enhance transaction monitoring and risk management in line with VARA requirements.

Strategically, the license allows Animoca to engage with institutional and retail partners across the GCC, aligning with regional aims like UAE’s 2030 on‑chain government transactions and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for digital innovation.

Dubai’s regulatory updates in early 2026 tighten rules on privacy-focused cryptocurrencies and mandate disclosure for algorithmic stablecoins, while permitting officially pegged stablecoins and preserving room for DeFi innovation.